Democracy in America
by Alexis de Tocqueville

French diplomat (1805-1859), Alexis Viscount of Tocqueville, Minister of Foreingh Affaires during a few months under the government of Odilon Barrot is best known for his work "De la Democratie en Amerique" (Democracy in America). For some people, Tocqueville is the leading figure of liberal thinking. Others, such as Raymond Aron, have highlighted his contribution to sociology. François Furet brought out Tocqueville's contribution to the analysis of the French revolution.
The two volumes of the book are accessible in French at the Liberty Fundin English at the University of Virginia.